In a standardized curriculum, it is essential to design courses that maximize the unique qualitie... more In a standardized curriculum, it is essential to design courses that maximize the unique qualities of each instructor while maintaining curricular consistency. By adopting a collaborative approach to course development, integrating technology intentionally, creating opportunities for instructor personalization, and supporting instructional growth, educators can ensure the benefits of unique instructor differences are utilized, resulting in an enriched online learning environment.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Aug 1, 2006
The value and importance of critical thinking is clearly established; the challenge for instructo... more The value and importance of critical thinking is clearly established; the challenge for instructors lies in successfully promoting students' critical thinking skills within the confines of a traditional classroom experience. Since instructors are faced with limited student contact time to meet their instructional objectives and facilitate learning, they are often forced to make instructional decisions between content coverage, depth of understanding, and critical analysis of course material. To address this dilemma, it is essential to integrate instructional strategies and techniques that can efficiently and effectively maximize student learning and critical thinking. Modern advances in educational technology have produced a range of online tools to assist instructors in meeting this instructional goal. This review will examine the theoretical foundations of critical thinking in higher education, discuss empirically-based strategies for integrating online instructional supplements to enhance critical thinking, offer techniques for expanding instructional opportunities outside the limitations of traditional class time, and provide practical suggestions for the innovative use of critical thinking strategies via online resources.
The byproduct of rapidly growing online learning programs is an influx of faculty new to online t... more The byproduct of rapidly growing online learning programs is an influx of faculty new to online teaching. While universities typically invest resources in faculty training targeting the content management system and relevant technology, less information is available on the impact of faculty development exclusively focusing on online teaching pedagogy. The current investigation examines the impact of dedicated online pedagogical training (targeting case-based learning, learning communities, faculty-student interactions, classroom management) on student learning, student perceptions and teaching evaluations. Results indicate that students led by faculty who receive pedagogical training (in addition to technology training) showed increased learning and enhanced perceptions surrounding the online learning experience. Contrary to expectations, faculty without pedagogical training were more active in the course; but this increased activity did not result in measured learning gains. Discussion will highlight: key pedagogical strategies that show effectiveness for online learning, strategies for assessing teaching effectiveness in the online classroom and considerations for a comprehensive operationalization of “impact” when examining instructional strategies
In this Special Issue of eLearn Magazine, we examine the value and impact of instructional techno... more In this Special Issue of eLearn Magazine, we examine the value and impact of instructional technology for addressing specific challenges faced by educators in the online classroom. With an emphasis on practical utility, authors share technology tools that have aligned effectively with their pedagogical needs to produce positive teaching and learning outcomes.
The personalization principle can help instructors in the online modality by offering a medium fo... more The personalization principle can help instructors in the online modality by offering a medium for presenting content in a student friendly conversational, personalized tone that increases student learning and engagement (Clark & Mayer, 2011). Personalized instruction can be completed through several approaches, but has a propensity to assist the student in focusing on natural conversations. Although, there are many ways for instructors to personalize materials (text, subject-headings, audio, video) the important aspect of personalized materials is that it can make students feel more connected to instructor. Several studies have shown personalized materials can engage students in the learning process while also enhancing the instructor presence in the online classroom (Clark & Mayer, 2011; Mandernach, 2009). The question that remains unanswered is whether one approach to personalized material within the classroom is more valuable to students than another. The current study analyzed differences between varying levels of personalized lecture material and student levels of satisfaction, connectedness to teacher, and perceptions of teacher presence. The presentation will display the varying levels of personalized material and how instructors can efficiently incorporate the personalization principle in their online classroom to positively impact student outcomes
In a standardized curriculum, it is essential to design courses that maximize the unique qualitie... more In a standardized curriculum, it is essential to design courses that maximize the unique qualities of each instructor while maintaining curricular consistency. By adopting a collaborative approach to course development, integrating technology intentionally, creating opportunities for instructor personalization, and supporting instructional growth, educators can ensure the benefits of unique instructor differences are utilized, resulting in an enriched online learning environment.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Aug 1, 2006
The value and importance of critical thinking is clearly established; the challenge for instructo... more The value and importance of critical thinking is clearly established; the challenge for instructors lies in successfully promoting students' critical thinking skills within the confines of a traditional classroom experience. Since instructors are faced with limited student contact time to meet their instructional objectives and facilitate learning, they are often forced to make instructional decisions between content coverage, depth of understanding, and critical analysis of course material. To address this dilemma, it is essential to integrate instructional strategies and techniques that can efficiently and effectively maximize student learning and critical thinking. Modern advances in educational technology have produced a range of online tools to assist instructors in meeting this instructional goal. This review will examine the theoretical foundations of critical thinking in higher education, discuss empirically-based strategies for integrating online instructional supplements to enhance critical thinking, offer techniques for expanding instructional opportunities outside the limitations of traditional class time, and provide practical suggestions for the innovative use of critical thinking strategies via online resources.
The byproduct of rapidly growing online learning programs is an influx of faculty new to online t... more The byproduct of rapidly growing online learning programs is an influx of faculty new to online teaching. While universities typically invest resources in faculty training targeting the content management system and relevant technology, less information is available on the impact of faculty development exclusively focusing on online teaching pedagogy. The current investigation examines the impact of dedicated online pedagogical training (targeting case-based learning, learning communities, faculty-student interactions, classroom management) on student learning, student perceptions and teaching evaluations. Results indicate that students led by faculty who receive pedagogical training (in addition to technology training) showed increased learning and enhanced perceptions surrounding the online learning experience. Contrary to expectations, faculty without pedagogical training were more active in the course; but this increased activity did not result in measured learning gains. Discussion will highlight: key pedagogical strategies that show effectiveness for online learning, strategies for assessing teaching effectiveness in the online classroom and considerations for a comprehensive operationalization of “impact” when examining instructional strategies
In this Special Issue of eLearn Magazine, we examine the value and impact of instructional techno... more In this Special Issue of eLearn Magazine, we examine the value and impact of instructional technology for addressing specific challenges faced by educators in the online classroom. With an emphasis on practical utility, authors share technology tools that have aligned effectively with their pedagogical needs to produce positive teaching and learning outcomes.
The personalization principle can help instructors in the online modality by offering a medium fo... more The personalization principle can help instructors in the online modality by offering a medium for presenting content in a student friendly conversational, personalized tone that increases student learning and engagement (Clark & Mayer, 2011). Personalized instruction can be completed through several approaches, but has a propensity to assist the student in focusing on natural conversations. Although, there are many ways for instructors to personalize materials (text, subject-headings, audio, video) the important aspect of personalized materials is that it can make students feel more connected to instructor. Several studies have shown personalized materials can engage students in the learning process while also enhancing the instructor presence in the online classroom (Clark & Mayer, 2011; Mandernach, 2009). The question that remains unanswered is whether one approach to personalized material within the classroom is more valuable to students than another. The current study analyzed differences between varying levels of personalized lecture material and student levels of satisfaction, connectedness to teacher, and perceptions of teacher presence. The presentation will display the varying levels of personalized material and how instructors can efficiently incorporate the personalization principle in their online classroom to positively impact student outcomes
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